U.S. Supreme Court Bulletin
One petition for certiorari was granted, vacated and remanded 5/18/2026:
- Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. Howe (25-253) (Voting Rights Act)
One petition for certiorari was filed 5/4/2026:
- N. R. v. Ellison (25-1287) (Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act)
Federal Courts Bulletin
- Bowman v. Frank, et al. (Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA); Tribal membership)
- United States v. Thompson (criminal jurisdiction - Indian status)
- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska v. United States Department of Army, et al. (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA))
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation v. City of Henryetta, Oklahoma (criminal jurisdiction - Indian country; McGirt v. Oklahoma)
- Alaska Community Action on Toxics, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, et al. (Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Administrative Procedure Act (APA))
- LaRoche v. Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Corporation (Tribal court; Tribal jurisdiction)
State Courts Bulletin
- Anderson v. Parish (Tribal sovereign immunity, jurisdiction)
U.S. Legislation - 119th Congress Bulletin
- S.4516 - A bill to require officers and employees of the Department of Homeland Security to receive training with respect to Indian tribes, and for other purposes.
- H.R.8742 - To require officers and employees of the Department of Homeland Security to receive training with respect to tribes, and for other purposes.
- H.R.8824 - To repeal the jurisdiction conferred by section 3243 of title 18, United States Code, to the State of Kansas over offenses committed by or against Indians on Tribal lands in Kansas.
Passed legislation:
- H.R.2815 - Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025 / To provide equitable treatment for the people of the Village Corporation established for the Native Village of Saxman, Alaska, and for other purposes was signed by President on 5/19/2026.
U.S. Regulatory Bulletin
- Proposed Information Collection Activity; Guidance for Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, ACF-123 (HHS)
- Clean Air Act Tribal Minor New Source Review Permit Issued to Jamul Casino Resort (EPA)
Law Review & Bar Journal Bulletin
Contact us if you need help finding a copy of an article.
- Collective memory & the temporality of justice: Healing trauma across generations after historic injustices.
- “Downstream people:” Lessons from the Tar Creek Superfund site and Quapaw Nation in pursuit of an environmental justice-informed CERCLA regime.
- Redefining global intellectual property: The WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and its implications for international law.
News Bulletin
This week, in brief:
- Supreme Court sends closely watched Native American voting rights decision back to lower court
- Fourth Circuit rules NAGPRA applies to Carlisle Boarding School children’s remains in Winnebago Tribe case
- Montana Tribes combine traditional knowledge and Western science in climate plan
- New Mexico pueblos sue Kalshi, alleging prediction market violates Tribal gaming sovereignty
- Montana Water Court issues final order approving CSKT water compact
Announcements
- The Native American Rights Fund is hiring a Staff Attorney in the Alaska office. Learn more about the vacancies at our Career Center.
